Holding a Teacher to Scholastic Inquiry

Holding a Teacher to Scholastic Inquiry

Watching the two leave, Zhang Yu took the invitation from Li Qinghe. The signature read Qiu Shang, followed by the academic title of Xueling. This was likely the Qiu Xueling those two had mentioned.

Its contents matched what they had said: he was invited to visit Zhenli Hall tomorrow, but it did not state the reason. The wording was far from courteous, carrying an air of lofty condescension.

He considered this. Zhenli Hall was a place for debates and lectures; his earlier self-recommendation had taken place there.

And in a few days, according to his agreement with the Academy, he would begin teaching some students the language and customs of the Steel Claw Tribe. This matter was therefore very likely connected to that.

He turned the invitation over. The seal bore the Academy's stamp, meaning this summons had been issued through the Academy. As an assistant instructor, he had to attend.

Was the Academy seeking to confirm things once more before I formally taught that native tongue, or did some people in the Academy want to gain something from this?

After some thought, he felt both were possible, for the interests involved were truly not small.

A powerful native tribe with tens of thousands of warriors had appeared in the sparsely defended Southern Region of the Protectorate Office. It could very likely change the entire strategic situation, even endanger the Protectorate Office's stability. The struggles and disputes it might provoke within the Metropolitan Hall were easy enough to imagine. At such a time, some people were bound to stir restlessly.

But no matter what, he was now the one who possessed the means to communicate with that tribe. Whatever those people wished to do, they could not possibly bypass him.

Drawing back his thoughts, he turned to look at Li Qinghe. The Beardfolk youth was quite sensible. While Zhang Yu had been thinking, he had stood quietly to one side without a word. Zhang Yu said, "Qinghe, when you received that invitation just now, your manners and movements were quite proper. Who taught you?"

Li Qinghe replied, "Sir, the elders of my tribe taught me. They taught us not only Celestial Xia writing, but also Celestial Xia etiquette and rules."

Zhang Yu shook his head. "Your tribal elders taught you well. But your etiquette exists only in 'outer form,' not 'inner application.' No matter how polished your practice is, it will be useless. When there is time, I will teach you a Guidance Art. You must practice it well."

Li Qinghe did not understand the distinction, but he was clever enough to hear that Zhang Yu intended to teach him something. Thrilled, he said, "Yes, Sir. Qinghe will certainly learn it diligently."

Just as the two were speaking, a voice came from outside the door. "Assistant Instructor Zhang, are you in? Liu Guang has come to visit."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu rose and went to open the front gate himself. Cupping his hands, he said, "Why has Instructor Liu come?"

Liu Guang returned the salute, his expression slightly grave. "Assistant Instructor Zhang, did someone from the Academy come by just now?"

Zhang Yu's heart stirred. Stepping aside, he said, "Instructor Liu, please come in and speak."

Liu Guang cupped his hands and stepped inside.

Zhang Yu led him into the study. Once they were seated, Qinghe brought over tea.

Liu Guang looked over and said in surprise, "A Beardfolk?" He sounded somewhat envious. "Assistant Instructor Zhang, you certainly found yourself a fine attendant."

A Beardfolk attendant was not something one could have merely by wishing for it. Before each Beardfolk acknowledged a household master, the elders of their tribe had to approve.

This was because the Beardfolk feared that their tribesmen might follow the wrong master, thereby ruining their entire lives. Thus, when selecting whom to follow, they also had to divine according to Celestial Xia methods. Only if the hexagram showed no hindrance would they agree.

Liu Guang had previously wanted to select a Beardfolk attendant as well, but unfortunately had failed. And after one failure, there would be no further chance, because all Beardfolk tribes would recognize that result.

Zhang Yu took out the invitation and said, "Someone from the Academy did indeed come just now, and brought this."

Liu Guang took it and looked it over, frowning. "As expected..."

Zhang Yu asked, "Does Instructor Liu know why the Academy is seeking me this time?"

Liu Guang gave a snort. "Isn't it because some people see profit to be made from this and want to stick a hand into it? Since Assistant Instructor Zhang, you are the key link in this matter, every one of them wants to open a breach through you."

Zhang Yu nodded. So that was indeed the case. He asked, "Then does Instructor Liu know the background of this Qiu Xueling whose name is on the invitation?"

Liu Guang said, "This Qiu Xueling was originally the translator at Taiyang Academy most skilled in the Peace Mountain Native Tongue. In recent years, I heard he had also been visiting assimilated natives within the Protectorate Office, copying books and organizing materials, hoping to produce a lexicon that could correspond to all tribes. But there has been no news of him these past few years. I had thought he had retired to live out his old age."

He looked up. "I have had several dealings with this Qiu Xueling. This senior's learning is indeed profound, especially concerning the cultures and languages of the various tribes. He had many achievements in the past, translating a great number of ancient bark books from native tribes near Peace Mountain, greatly enriching the Academy's library. Oh, and he was also on good terms with Lord Zhan, the previous rector of the Academy. Zhan Zhitong, his current disciple, is Lord Zhan's son."

Zhang Yu reflected inwardly. From Liu Guang's words, this Qiu Xueling should originally have been a peripheral figure, likely pushed forward by some faction. But one point deserved attention: this man seemed extremely knowledgeable and proficient in native languages.

Liu Guang set down the invitation, his expression solemn. "According to the news I just heard, they may intend to subject you to a Scholastic Inquiry this time."

At this, Zhang Yu's eyes shifted slightly as his mind raced. A Scholastic Inquiry...

In Taiyang Academy, a Scholastic Inquiry meant testing the academic knowledge of its instructors. If it was discovered that someone lacked sufficient learning and could no longer fulfill their position, the Academy could dismiss them.

This was actually an old rule. After the Protectorate Office established three more Academies, Taiyang Academy had rarely done such a thing.

Liu Guang looked up at him, his expression earnest. "Assistant Instructor Zhang, in your judgment, could anyone besides you know the language of that Steel Claw Tribe?"

He cared deeply about this matter. Zhang Yu had entered the Academy through self-recommendation before him, Zhu Anshi, and Xin Yao. Not even a month had passed. If Zhang Yu encountered trouble in this Scholastic Inquiry, the three of them would likewise be unable to escape involvement.

Zhang Yu said, "Has this Qiu Xueling ever gone deep into the forests east of Peace Mountain?"

Liu Guang shook his head. "Qiu Xueling is over ninety years old. He is quite advanced in years, and has spent his entire life buried in the Academy's classics. I have never heard that he traveled far before."

Zhang Yu was slightly surprised. "Over ninety? Then this Qiu Xueling also experienced that battle of those years?"

In that battle sixty years ago, nearly all the adult Celestial Xia men of the Protectorate Office had gone to war, and not many returned alive. Otherwise, there would not now be so many An people and Xia-An mixed-blood officials in the Protectorate Office.

By calculation, Qiu Xueling had been in his thirties then, in the prime of strength.

Yet Liu Guang revealed a mocking look. "This Qiu Xueling never went to the battlefield. I heard that on the eve of the great war, he happened to break a leg, then fell unconscious for many days afterward, so he could not go."

But after saying this, he stressed, "Still, setting aside his character, his learning is beyond question. I heard his lectures in the past, and they had quite a bit of substance."

By now, Zhang Yu could determine that the other man did not know the Steel Claw Tribe's language. This tribe had only migrated from the interior two or three years ago. Even if Qiu Xueling had once ventured deep inland, he could never have encountered them.

He said, "Instructor Liu need not worry about this. I merely feel that this Qiu Xueling may not be seeking to test me at all, but has another intention."

Liu Guang froze for a moment, then suddenly understood. He could not help clenching an empty fist and tapping his forehead. His concern had truly thrown him into confusion.

If Qiu Xueling knew the Steel Claw Tribe's language, could he not simply replace Zhang Yu himself? Why make such a grand fuss and stage all this? Would that not be drawing legs on a snake?

So there had to be some other purpose behind this.

He asked, "Then how does Assistant Instructor Zhang intend to deal with it tomorrow?"

Zhang Yu replied in an even tone, "We will meet moves with moves when the time comes."

He was no longer merely an assistant instructor. He had already entered the Profound Residence. So long as he did not openly violate the rules, the Academy could not do much to him. But if possible, he still wished to retain this position as Academy assistant instructor, because this identity was also an important part of his plan to collect Source Energy items.

Zhang Yu's calmness infected Liu Guang, and his heart settled considerably.

But thinking on it, that was right. So long as Zhang Yu still possessed that tribe's language, it was his greatest reliance. No matter what, the Academy could not do anything to him.

He said, "Caution never leads to great mistakes. Assistant Instructor Zhang, I will head back first. Tomorrow, I will go with you to Zhenli Hall."

Zhang Yu arranged a time with him, then saw him out. After sending him beyond the gate, he returned to the study, picked up the invitation again, and looked it over. Combining it with what Liu Guang had said, he thought of one possibility.

Whether it was so or not would become clear tomorrow.

The wait lasted for many hours.